Ep 1. Cancelled

In the season 7 premiere of South Park, entitled "Cancelled," the boys become aware of a mysterious spaceship hovering over their small mountain town. As the town's residents become increasingly anxious about the alien invasion, the boys decide to investigate the situation, ultimately finding themselves inside the spaceship and face-to-face with the extraterrestrial beings in command.

The episode uses an interesting structure in which the narrative is framed as a television show, with live-action scenes of the show's creators brainstorming and crafting the episode interspersed throughout the episode itself. This meta aspect adds an extra layer of humor and self-awareness to the proceedings, as the show's writers debate the merits of various plot points and poke fun at themselves and the medium as a whole.

As is typical of South Park, the humor in "Cancelled" is often crass and juvenile, but there are also moments of inspired satire and social commentary. The episode pokes fun at a variety of pop culture touchstones, including reality TV, science fiction movies, and the cult of personality surrounding certain celebrities. It also explores themes of creativity, collaboration, and the nature of storytelling, adding a surprising depth and nuance to the proceedings.

Overall, "Cancelled" is a strong start to South Park's seventh season, showcasing the show's trademark blend of irreverent humor and incisive social commentary. Fans of the series are sure to appreciate the meta aspect of the episode, which offers a fun and unique twist on the show's already distinct style.